ie whats is it how much whys its better than windows

will my other programs run fine

 

Im a massive fan of linux and rather than say its better I will explain what made me move to linux and why I continue to use it.

I personally got fed up with Windows because it appears with every version to use up more and more of my computing power, I got fed up with having to run anti-virus, anti-trojan, anti-spyware, pop-up killers, and then having to clean my system and patch it all the time.
For me windows was like a car with square wheels, it kinda went along but was not right.
When Microsoft introduced product activation and support for DRM I felt the system started to effect me even more as my use was being restricted.

The Linux box I am typing on now is a laptop and is capable of doing everything I require, it has a wireless internet connection, I can create documents compatible with Microsoft Office, I can edit photo's and pictures, ripp and burn DVD's, I can surf the net, send email and chat to people who use MSN messenger, I can edit movies.

The biggest thing for me is that all this software only created an install of 2.5gb which would never happen with Windows.
I like the fact that if I reinstall I do not loose my data.
I like the fact that my hard disk does not need defraging
I like the fact I only have to worry about 40 known viruses only 3 of which can cause damage

the system is super stable, its faster than Windows and 64bit computing is a reality not a dream.

Now linux is not for everyone, you have to spend time making it do what you want... if it was a car it would be a bodyshell you have to make it do what you want which takes time.
My last linux install took me 2 days to install everything I wanted... im on that now, however ive never touched it since,no firewall, not antivirus, no spyware -- it still feels like I installed it today...I can do what I want with DRM protected media because my system does not see these restrictions.
I have no licences to worry about, nothing to pay

I love the fact that I have an application that looks for software for me..... I choose what I want and it downloads it from the net and installs it free


it suits me... on top of this its features are better than XP and Vista look at the videos in this thread and tell me its not impressive especially the search

https://passionford.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249327

Now the bad bit... your windows programs will not run fine, its not windows however you can do it all in Linux you can have it all...but its different... its not Microsoft Office you use its Open Office, its not Explorer you use its Firefox... its not MSN messenger you use its Gaim...

you have to be willing to adapt and learn

http://www.ubuntu.com <---- that's the Linux I use


if you list what you need to do I will list a Linux application that can do that task

 

table of equivalents of Windows software in Linux.

http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

 

im not bothered about office or that im talking about the only game a play football manager 2007 can i run other games as well i hate windows its shit but i didnt no there was alternitives

 

Ubuntu Linux also runs and boots from the CD so that you can have a look at it without installing it on your computer

http://www.ubuntu.com

or if you do not like the look of that you can have a look at a Linux running a different desktop

http://www.kubuntu.org/


Linux can be what YOU want it to be

 

you have to run a Windows API for some games while others such as Quake3 and 4 are native to Linux

The Windows API most people use is Cedega and a list of games you can run is found at the following URL

http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/


Football manager 2007 can be made to work natively in Linux

 

ok just i dont run it frim a disk its stored in the comp

 

Cedega most certainly lists the ability to play it

http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/


I would suggest if your seriously interested in Linux download a CD burn it and having a play with it running from the live CD see what you thinl.

Some people like it

 

thats me downloaded it im going to give it a shot

 

run it from the bootable CD first and you will see an icon on the desktop to install it... don't click that untill your certain this is the action you wish to take... have a go at running it from the CD for a look first and see what you think

NOTE :-- you can not change settings or configurations when running on CD

 

i cant get it to work the files in a winrar file and is to big to burn to disk

 

the file is a ISO disk image as winrar works with this, burn it as a disk image using nero or whatever cd burning software you have it should be fit a cd then unless you have downloaded the DVD disk in which case it needs burning to DVD

 

ok then

 

so if i do go ahead and install it everything will be there

 

its a single file called a ISO its effectively the contents of a CD in one file.. you burn this as a 'image' file to a CD...
Then you make the pc boot from the CD and Linux will run and enter the desktop
Here you have a look and play and see if it suits your needs

If you like what you see click the install icon on the desktop



at the following URL is the full information about burning the disk

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

you can do this in most CD writing apps such as Nero etc

 

DJmilsy, how many pc's do you have? If its just the one then you may wish to have a good long go with a few linux distros before installing. I've know a few people to get itchy and end up doing a dual boot or install it and only to get pissed off in the end and switch back.

(The problems with Windows is publicity and convenience. Most people walk into pc world and get it and never look for anything else. Just happy to plod along. Schools mainly have it, pretty much apart from IT all workplaces have it and so most people has it as the next does, like MSN. As menace says the security issues is a good thing. But its down to popularity why Windows gets hit as its worthwhile to write for it. More hits. Linux like Firefox being open source can have other people working on patches or sollutions where as with Microsoft you have to wait for them to work on the list. )

If you have another machine or a laptop then that way you can keep windows and use the other machine as a guinee pig. Alternatively if you don't and the live cd's are enough then you can get VMWARE which will allow you to run Linux or other OS from within you windows machine, via a window and you can power off or swtich between them. Virtual machines. I even think they have a proper Ubuntu pack as i used it some time ago. No installing and uninstalls like you're familiar with, just delete and removed the program.

Have a look a the site below for some to download. I would say along with Ubuntu, Suse, Madrake/Madriva are quite user friendly with the kde environments. Shouldn't be too much of a shock then. Gentoo, Slackware, bsd tend to be harder than those. In fact Gentoo can be like building a cosworth from scratch yourself. Start with a base and compile everything. Like menace said, a shell. But a secure one. Don't forget as well as gaim which allows you to use a few instant messengers there is a skype download availible for linux. Which is better than MSN as it works every day. Think you will be suprsied at how far your RAM goes. And try and get a linux bible of some sort, that will go nicely with it and not only can you work through it but you will have it for reference.

http://www.linuxhelp.net/linux_downloads/

http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/

 

well said Skeg good comments